So, for our trip in about two weeks from today, we decided to stay at an apartment in Deiva Marina. I'd love to hear any reviews on that particular area (near the Cinque Terre) if anyone here has been there. Based on all of the advice here, I really wanted Lerici, but given our budget and party size I couldn't pass up the deal we got on a great place in Deiva Marina. I did search the forum and didn't see a lot of reports on it, so I'm excited to be able to provide a trip report and info about our stay.
Our plan is to day trip out to the 5T towns, Lerici, and maybe Portofino throughout the week and I'd love to make a little list of good restaurant recommendations. Share if you have any really good ones!! Thanks!
ETA: I would also love a reccomendation of a nice hilltown within reasonable driving distance (say, 1.5 hours) from the 5T area. My mother in law will be with us and we slashed Tuscany from our itinerary, but I'd like her to at least see a little piece of the beauty. We were going to do 3 days/nights in the 5T and then move to the Sienna area for 3 nights/4 days, but I've been inspired to conduct "slow travel" and we decided to really focus on relaxing in the 5T area on this trip and return to Italy in August to see Tuscany for a full week. After years of being a speedy traveler (see it all, do it all), I may finally be slowing down! That and 3 small children are difficult to move from place to place. Children LOVE slow travel.
Kerry, What apartment are you staying at in Deiva Marina? We had contemplated staying at Clelia, but read so much about staying in one of the 5T, we decided on Monterosso. I am very interested as to what made you decide on Deiva Marina?
Joy
Posts: 152 | Location: Lake Coeur d' Alene | Registered: 18 March 2006
Joy, I decided to book our vacation at the Appartament in Piazzetta in Deiva Marina. We really want to take this vacation slow with some hiking in the 5T town and some beach time. I just hope the water isn't too cold! Either way, the views will be beautiful. We got a great deal for our stay and we needed a lot of space so this worked for us. The appartments look clean with some ammenities and the area just looks peaceful. I hope this is the case, but you live and learn, right?
Space was the biggest factor. As most know, many accommodations in the 5T are small and cozy and with 3 little ones, we wanted a place to tuck them in at night, but still have space for the adults to stay up and enjoy some wine and conversation. Price was the second deciding factor. I think we got a great deal for our 6 night stay. I even offered to pay the 7 night rate (weekly rental rate) even though we are only staying 6 nights, because I wanted a guarantee that we could have this appartment, but they actually knocked 50 Euros off the price for us. I will do a review when we get back.
you might want to try a search of "lunigiana," a region in Northern Tuscany that does not seem to be all that far from CT. We are thinking about day trip from CT to there when we are there in June. You can search this site for threads on lunigiana or google it for some good resources. Sounds like some of these towns might be what you are seeking....closer than the part of Tuscany you traditionally associate with hill towns. Also, we are thinking of day trip to Lucca -- much info on this charming town on this site and elsewhere. We have heard it's 1.25 hours from CT. Please post trip report when you return!
Kerry, Thanks for the info on the apartment. I hope to drop thru the area while we are in the CT. Sounds like you will be a happy slow traveler. Enjoy your trip, Joy
Posts: 152 | Location: Lake Coeur d' Alene | Registered: 18 March 2006
Slow Travel Talk 
